splinting avian fractures

SPLINTING AVIAN
FRACTURES
Rebecca Duer r D V M M P V M
International Bird Rescue Research Center
Cordelia, C A
© 2004, 2010: 2nd Edition, Rebecca Duerr. All drawings and images are by the author unless otherwise marked.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Considerations for wild bird care
Glossary of terms
Physical examination
Before beginning the splint
Compound fractures
Prognoses of typical fractures
The avian skeleton
Examining the wing for possible fractures
Splinting fractures of the wing: Humerus or radius/ulna fractures with support
Splinting fractures of the wing: Metacarpal fractures with support
Metacarpal wrap
Calcium supplementation for fractured birds
Slit wing wrap
Examining the leg for possible fractures
Splinting the femur: To immobilize prior to surgery or as the only treatment
Tibiotarsus: making the splint
Tibiotarsus: applying the splint
Splinting the tarsometatarsus
Splinting the foot—applying a shoe
Mallards: walking/swimming splint for tarsometatarsus fractures
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Considerations for wild bird care
Treating wild birds with fractures requires the consideration of a number of factors that
are not issues in treating domestic pets. First and foremost, each bird must be fit to be
released when healed; even with raptors, available placement for disabled birds is a rare
thing. It is even difficult to place charismatic species such as eagles. Consequently, reality
(and usually rehabilitation licensing) dictates that a bird with an injury that will render it
unable to fly or forage should be humanely euthanized. It is both illegal and inhumane to
keep most wild birds as pets.
Wild birds, especially if they are adults, are subject to tremendous stress while in
captivity; not only are they likely to perceive caregivers as predators, but they are prone to
damaging themselves against their caging in efforts to get away. If the bird breaks its primary
feathers in the caging, this will automatically add at least three weeks to its stay in captivity,
possibly more than a year if the bird is a larger species. Adult birds also do not deal well with
being immobile; they often become depressed and unable or unwilling to eat, which leads to
force feeding, which leads to more stress, and things can deteriorate from there. Adult birds
are unlikely to self-feed without proper daylight-level lighting, so keeping a bird calm by
having it in dim light has its problems too.
As a result of these issues, all splints should be designed with minimal restraint in
mind. It is not necessary in many cases to fully restrain the joint above and below the break,
but rather merely the bone fragment on either side of it. This serves to reduce the postfracture joint stiffness that results from more restrictive splints, and hence the bird will be
ready for release sooner. Your goal should be to make such a fabulous splint that the bird can
go about its business while being able to use its broken limb as normally as possible while it
is healing. Weight-bearing on a fracture also encourages the body to repair the fracture faster.
Most splints presented here are the result of the years of collective experience of the
staff and volunteers of Wildlife Rescue Inc in Palo Alto CA. Others are the inventions of the
author. Bear in mind that splinting techniques are not engraved in stone. Don’t be afraid to try
a new idea to fix an unusual problem, but try to not inflict extra stress on the patient while
you experiment. Always have a good idea what you are doing before handling the patient, and
be sure to let them rest if they are becoming stressed during the process.
G lossary of terms
Simple F racture: A break in a bone without an accompanying wound at the fracture site.
Compound or O pen F racture: A break where the bone has penetrated the skin to the
exterior, or the wound that broke the bone has exposed the broken ends.
Comminuted F racture: Bone is crushed or splintered.
M ultiple F racture: Bone is broken in more than one place.
Impacted F racture: A break in which one broken fragment is firmly driven into the other.
G reenstick F racture: A break in which the bone is not broken all the way through.
C apilla ry F ractu re: A break that appears as a fine hair-like line on x-ray, with the bone not
displaced from its normal position.
Pathologic F ractu re: A break due to abnormally weak bone structure, such as from dietary
deficiency or other disease. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is an example of this.
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Transverse, O blique, Spiral: Terms used to describe the direction or shape of a fracture.
C allus: Enlarged fibrous and boney bridge that forms during the healing of a fracture. The
bridged area is remodeled as healing is completed and is ultimately replaced by true bone.
The better the fracture fragments are aligned, the smaller the callus will be. A callus may
interfere with joint function if the fracture is close to the joint. The closer the break is to a
joint the better the alignment needs to be.
M al-union: Occurs when the body repairs the fracture with the bones in the wrong position.
Non-union: A failed healing. This occurs when the body has not been able to build a bridge
between broken bone fragments. This usually occurs when the fragments are not close enough
together due to poor alignment or when the fracture is infected or blood supply is damaged.
Reduction of the F ractu re: The act of pulling gently at the joint beyond the fracture to
reduce the overlap of the broken ends; used when necessary to bring the bone ends into a
more normal position when applying a splint
L uxation: When the bones are not broken but are displaced from the joint, this entails
substantial damage to the ligaments that normally stabilize the joint.
Begin with a careful examination and evaluation
1. Any bird suffering from stress, shock, severe dehydration, or active bleeding should be
treated for these life-threatening conditions prior to splinting. The bird must also be calm
and warm in order to have the best chance of surviving the stress of splinting. Use soft
toweling to arrange the bird comfortably such that any fractures do not become worse
while you are waiting to see if the bird will be stable enough to splint (e.g. do not leave a
bird with a leg fracture sitting on a hard flat surface). For most songbirds of any age,
placing them in an appropriate nest-type support works well. Handle the bird as little as
possible.
2. Before beginning the physical exam, critically look at the bird to visualize problems from
the way the bird is holding its limbs. With experience, you will be able to spot the location
of some fractures just by looking at the bird. This also allows you to spot which bones are
NOT broken.
3. Catch the bird quickly and confidently, immediately immobilizing the limb with the
suspected fracture against the bird’s body. Do not allow the bird to flap or kick a broken
limb and make any injuries worse.
4. Examine the whole bird to look for other serious problems to take into consideration when
deciding on a course of action. Does the bird have too many problems? Three major
problems is a good rule of thumb to merit euthanasia. Remember that emaciation by itself
counts as a major problem. The reason the bird is emaciated counts as another. For
example, a bird may recover from two broken bones or one large laceration and one
broken bone just fine, but an emaciated bird with a broken bone will often die. Species is
also an important thing to consider, as temperament and housing needs affect what
fractures are fixable and what methods are most appropriate.
5. Once you have identified a splintable fracture (see list of prognoses below), do not
manipulate the limb further. If you suspect a fracture but are unsure, treat it as if it is
broken and splint it anyway since it may be a greenstick or capillary fracture. Comminuted
(smashed) or multiple fractures hold a poorer prognosis and will likely lead to a very large
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callus or non-union. However, if the fragments are well-aligned, healing is possible.
When in doubt, splint it and wait to see how it heals, or splint it and consult with your vet
to get an x-ray and see how bad it is.
6. Palpate all areas of the body looking for painful, warm or swollen areas. Feel each bone
individually by placing the thumb and forefinger of one hand on the joint at one end of a
long bone, and the thumb and forefinger of your other hand on the joint at the other end of
the bone. GENTLY apply tension to flex the bone. Each bone should feel firm and no
movement should be detected. If abnormal movement is felt, carefully try to feel how
severely the bone is out of its normal position, how many pieces you think it is in, and
how close to the joint the affected area is. Don’t forget to feel the keel and clavicles.
7. Minimize handling when possible by examining the entire right side before shifting your
grip to examine the other side. Also try to keep the bird upright as much as possible. Do
not turn birds with respiratory issues onto their backs.
8. If you have access to x-rays, it may be best with some birds to anesthetize them to prevent
struggling during x-rays. Dog/cat veterinary practices may be unfamiliar with the needs of
broken wild birds and since fractures in dogs and cats are not considered life-threatening,
technicians taking x-rays may underestimate the risks of allowing birds to struggle during
positioning for x-rays. Due to the likelihood of struggle leading to further damage to
broken limbs, x-rays should be taken only after the fracture has been restrained unless the
person taking the image is an expert bird handler. This also will show how well aligned
the fracture is inside the splint. Since wild birds need to recover full function in their
broken limbs, do not do anything to make the fracture worse! Remember that the soft
tissues around the bone are vitally important and keeping the vessels, nerves and tendons
functional can make all the difference for a successful outcome. Sharp broken bone ends
can injure or sever these important structures. Soft tissue damage can be a death sentence.
But if you do not have access to x-rays, you can still do a great job identifying and
splinting fractures.
Before beginning the splint
1. Keep splinting materials ready in a kit such as different weights of paperboard (such as
Kleenex box), telfa pads, cotton balls, various thicknesses of foam packaging such as
take-out food trays, thin wooden coffee stir sticks, Vetrap, and ribbon or paper tape;
Micropore paper tape is ideal. Avoid scotch, adhesive, or masking tapes unless you really
have no other options. The glue may soften with the heat of the bird’s body (or time) and
may result in a gummy mess on the feathers. These tapes also tend to pull out a lot of
feathers when being removed. DO NOT USE WOVEN GAUZE as padding unless your
splint will be completely encased in tape. Many birds will quickly pull it out one string at
a time until the padding has been destroyed and your splint becomes too loose.
2. Find the scissors and a pencil or pen before you start.
3. Weigh the bird before splinting so you will have an accurate weight to determine dosage
for medication if necessary.
4. If it is a compound/open fracture, you will also need wound cleaning and treating supplies
such as gauze, cotton swabs, fine tweezers, dressings such as hydrogel or Tegaderm and
disinfectant such as Betadine.
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5. Always use padding on splints and over wounds. T here must always be padding between
any wood or ca rdboa rd products and the bird’s skin or the bird will end up with
serious skin lacerations or abrasions. Even flimsy-seeming Kleenex box can cut like a
knife.
6. Once again, restrain only what is necessary to give support. Allow the bird to move and
exercise uninjured limbs and joints.
7. WHILE APPLYING THE SPLINT, WATCH FOR SIGNS OF STRESS. Return bird to
small, warm, covered housing IMMEDIATELY if signs of stress develop. (Heavy
breathing, gasping, etc.) Allow the bird to calm before continuing.
Compound/open fracture
1. Pluck feathers with tweezers from the immediate area of the wound only. Pull feathers
with the growth direction, except as necessary to not tear the tissue. Remove only the
minimum necessary for the procedure: a 1/8 inch margin is usually adequate. Do not
remove flight feathers, as permanent follicle damage is possible. It is better to let the soft
tissues heal with the feather still in its follicle. You can always pull damaged feathers after
the soft tissues have healed.
2. Thoroughly flush the wound with disinfectant such as dilute Betadine or Nolvasan,
removing all foreign material, including feather debris. Clean and disinfect from the center
of the wound towards the outer edges. Tissue glue such as Nexaband or sutures and
dressings such as Hydrogel or Tegaderm may be needed.
3. Be careful to not flex the fracture area during cleaning—provide a temporary support to
the side of the limb you are not working on if necessary to minimize movement during
wound cleaning.
4. Apply the splint appropriate for the bone in question (see following pages). Dress the
wound in such a way that it can be changed without removing the splint, if possible. This
would dictate not using cardboard for the splinting material, since wet cardboard does not
provide much support. Thin plastic such as from a yogurt container lid is a wet-able and
lightweight possible support material (well-padded, of course), but provides poorer
ventilation to the wound. Hexalite open-weave moldable splint may be another option but
is too big for tiny birds. Songbirds heal fast enough that a hydrogel dressing under a splint
often provides adequate wound treatment to allow for good skin healing while the fracture
knits.
5. Oral antibiotics should be given to any bird with an open fracture.
A fter splint is on – watch carefully!
1. Do not tape entire limb, leave areas untaped to observe color, swelling, temperature - hot
or cold, any of which could indicate a problem developing.
2. Re-do splint if swelling occurs. If the bird is extremely young, change the splint every 3-5
days to allow for growth. Usually birds that are old enough to be fully feathered do not
require this with minimally-restrictive splints. Long bone growth occurs very early in
small birds. Extremely young birds may heal fractures in less than a week.
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3. Splints should remain in place for 7 days for most songbirds, medium-sized birds (such as
pigeons) for 10 days, and larger birds for 3 weeks. The bigger the bone, the longer it takes
to heal, leg bones allowed to bear weight heal faster than wing fractures. Remove the splint
at the end of the appropriate time and examine the limb again, just as you did the first time,
VERY GENTLY to see if there is any movement at the fracture site. You should feel the
callus lump and it should be solid with no movement. If it is still wiggly, even slightly, resplint and check again in another week. Figure 8 wing wraps on large birds should be
removed every 2-3 days for wing extensions to prevent joint stiffness (stretch and hold
repeatedly while supporting the fracture); this may require anesthesia in stressy birds. This
is not usually a problem in songbirds or columbiforms in splints < 2 weeks.
4. When removing a splint with sharp pointed scissors, be very careful that you do not cut the
bird’s skin, especially when cutting up the backside of a tibiotarsus splint behind the knee.
Similarly, when removing a shoe, be very aware of where the bird’s toes are to avoid doing
something unthinkable like snipping off a toe!
5. Non-unions should be euthanized.
Prognoses of T ypical F ractures
Skull: Birds with skull fractures may heal quite well as long as the bird is not displaying
abnormal neurological signs (depression, lack of coordination, nystagmus, limbs held stiffly,
etc). Make sure all caregivers are made aware of the bird’s condition to avoid aggravating the
injury during routine handling. Birds that become more abnormal neurologically with time in
care should be euthanized.
Beaks: breaks to the beak are splintable if located mid-shaft on the mandible or maxilla. Bear
in mind that wild birds MUST have good beak alignment (unless you are treating a crossbill
or skimmer!) since they cannot get a beak trim once a month for the rest of their lives.
Misaligned beak tips are grounds for euthanasia, since overgrowth will occur and the bird is
likely to eventually starve to death due to being unable to eat. Dislocations of the jaw may
require placement of an esophageal feeding tube while the mouth is healing, so consult your
veterinarian for feasibility. This is not routinely done for songbirds, but is common for
waterfowl. Taping the beak shut at night and un-taping during the day during feedings is a
possibility but is very labor-intensive and stressful for the bird. Be careful to not tape over the
nares and obstruct breathing. For hummingbirds, taping can be successful since they do not
need to open their mouths very far to get their tongues out to drink.
Spine: Fractures of the back have a vanishingly small chance of recovery and euthanasia is
recommended. Breaks to the caudal spine may result in a limp tail. Birds cannot be released
without control of their tails since the tail is very important in flight. Spinal fractures are most
commonly palpated as an abnormal angle at the cranial end of the synsacrum, mid-back.
Birds with this fracture often display one (or both) limp legs, poor vent tone, or difficulty
emptying the cloaca.
C lavicle: A simple metacarpal wrap to restrict flapping provides enough restraint to allow for
clavicle healing. See instructions for where to apply tape. For a calm bird, it may only be
necessary to tape the wing of the side that is broken. However, some songbirds can be quite
stressed in captivity and will need to have both sides taped to adequately restrict movement.
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Do not over-palpate the clavicles since you can easily un-align the bones by pressing on
them. Gently run your finger along the bones and also puff the feathers out of the way to
visualize the area. Bruising at the top of the keel is a big hint to look for this type of fracture.
Impacts into windows and cars often break clavicles. Large birds such as pelicans may have
clavicle fractures that seem incidental and do not require any sort of wrap. Diving birds
recover well floating in pools with minimal handling.
Coracoid: The coracoid is a strong, strut-like bone that extends from the shoulder to the
inside of the cranial end of the keel. It is seated on a ledge on the keel and provides the chest
with the strong support needed for the flight muscles. The coracoid can be fractured along its
length or dislodged from its ledge on the keel, typically by impacts to the chest. Because this
bone is located beneath the breast muscles, in most cases it cannot be palpated during
examination (except in some large birds), and any injuries can be quickly made much worse
by trying. If such an injury is suspected, do not over-handle the shoulders or chest—you may
inadvertently turn a healable injury into a euthanizable one, or even into a case of sudden
death. The best way to diagnose this injury is seeing the tipped up wingtip, no flight ability,
and sometimes a drooped shoulder. Large birds tend to display a general wing droop, but
some waterfowl may hold the wing quite normally.
Although there is the possibility that a coracoid that is broken or dislodged from its ledge may
press on the vessels of the heart and cause fatal hemorrhaging, this does not occur very often
(and is the reason to not handle the bird very much). If the end of the coracoid is touching the
keel at all, it can heal well with full flight, although flight that is less than perfect may be
inadequate for long distance migrators or aerial insectivores. The best treatment is to confine
the bird to small caging to restrict movement for 10 days (songbirds) to 3 weeks (larger
birds), and keep handling to a minimum. Give the bird as stress-free an environment as
possible and a feast of appropriate food items to encourage self-feeding. Restraining the
wings has not been shown to improve the healing process, although certain stressy birds can
be kept from excessive flapping by the application of metacarpal wraps. Flight test the bird
after the confinement period; most will fly well on the first outing and are ready for the
aviary. A few will show no flight ability and should be euthanized. Those with any ability to
maintain or gain elevation should be given more time to heal and then be re-flight-tested.
K eel: Keel fractures are common with car and window-hit birds. Always remember to
examine the keel; birds are often presented for not being able to fly but have no wing injuries,
and keel injuries are easily missed. The likelihood of recovering full flight is excellent. Keep
your eye out for severe pectoral muscle damage under bruised skin. If the breast muscle feels
lumpy or watery, consult your veterinarian, as the injury may heal faster if it is opened and
flushed or debrided. Extensive breast muscle damage can heal quite well with proper wound
management.
Joints: Birds with joint fractures usually heal with the joint frozen, and should be euthanized.
How close to the joint is “too close” is a judgment call and is somewhat proportional to the
size of the bone, but the author usually chooses euthanasia for fractures closer than 1/8-3/16
inch (3-5mm) in most songbirds. Tarsometatarsus fractures can be okay a bit closer to joints
than those on other bones. As long as the bird can do what it needs to do with the foot when
healed, toe joint fractures are relatively inconsequential.
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Femu r and humerus: Typically require surgical pinning. Consult your veterinarian if you
have a patient that is a good candidate for surgical repair (minimal or no additional problems,
alert, good body weight). If surgery is not an option, and the fracture is not displaced from its
normal position, taping the limb to the body is feasible but holds a poor prognosis—nonunion is highly likely, especially in the case of humerus fractures, although some
rehabilitators have reported good results with a body wrap. If possible, after taping a wing to
the body for a humerus fracture, get an x-ray to check on the alignment of the bone
fragments. If the bone ends are not in line and touching, euthanasia is recommended if
pinning is not an option. Taping the femur is more feasible for a nestling or fledgling-aged
bird, since hand-feeding is routine and they will not be not stressed by sitting in a nest for a
week. Adult birds may require force feeding which is often quite stressful, although some
birds will eat if food is presented in an easily-accessible manner. This also gives them
something to do while they are laid up.
Radius/ulna: If just one of these bones is broken, the unbroken one acts as a splint for the
other and some veterinarians do not believe additional support is needed. The author,
however, prefers to use a flat support for under the wing and feels that the alignment of the
broken ends is better when supported, especially if the ulna is the broken bone. If both bones
are broken in line across the wing, there is usually severe soft tissue injury, and the bird has a
poor prognosis. If the two bones are broken offset from one another, the wing may heal just
fine with splinting. Sometimes what is called a synostosis is formed where the callus grabs
onto the other bone and forms a solid bridge between the radius and ulna. This results in an
inability to extend the wing because these bones must be able to move in relation to each
other. These cases should be euthanized (unless you have a avian orthopedic surgeon willing
to expend effort on poor prognosis cases).
W ingtip/metaca rpals: This area is difficult to palpate on small birds. Non-union is common
with compound fractures here, but simple fractures often heal well. If the wingtip is swollen
and bruised, a fracture is likely. Splint it if you are unsure. There are two joints past the
wrist—fractures and luxations of these joints may not heal in a stable manner.
T ibiotarsus: This is one of the most common fractures and most challenging splints to apply
to small birds, but can heal quite well even if the bird arrives with the leg dangling and
rotating at the break. It may be helpful to have another person restrain larger songbirds (>100
grams-ish), but with small bodied birds, there just isn’t room for more fingers in the way.
Holding the bird against your body can help free up more of your fingers from restraint duty.
A stockinette or even a mealworm bag with a hole for the injured leg to poke out of
sometimes can help with restraint if you are alone and the bird is wiggly. Be careful to not
make the break worse while getting the leg out the hole. Alcohol can assist in getting feathers
out of your way when taping the splint on, but don’t get any on open wounds since it stings.
Compound fractures should have the exposed area cleaned with an antiseptic before applying
the splint. If you are concerned that the telfa pad that lines your splint will not keep the
exposed tissue moist enough, you may cover the wound with hydrogel or Tegaderm before
applying the splint. The dressing will keep it moist for at least 48 hours before it dries out.
Small bird wounds heal so quickly that this is long enough to do a lot of good. Applying the
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splint should pull the bone to its proper length, and may result in the protruding fragment
being pulled inside. If the bone end is dry and darkly colored, it is dead and the bird should be
euthanized. Compound fractures of the tibiotarsus may heal with a very large callus that may
necessitate lots of physical therapy for a full recovery, or the callus may cause the tendons of
the back of the leg to deviate off the groove of the hock (a complication warranting
euthanasia). Compound fractures in herons/egrets should be surgically pinned, as they tend to
do poorly in splints. Tibiotarsus fractures that are very close to the knee heal best with
surgical pinning but this is often not feasible for small or very young birds.
Birds with tibiotarsus splints may require a shoe to keep the foot in a normal position, but if
you give the bird a while to get used to the splint you may find that the bird walks and
perches fairly normally within 2-3 days of applying the splint. Be sure to keep the bird on soft
materials if it is knuckling the foot to avoid injuries to the top of the toes.
Both legs CAN be splinted at the same time, but the bird will usually require a ‘donut’ shaped
supportive substrate of rolled towel or other material to hold the bird comfortably upright.
Many adult birds will sit in their donut and eat if food is within reach. Pigeons are especially
amenable to this. Specially arranged food dishes, millet sprays within nibbling distance, etc.
can cut down on the need to force feed, and also give the immobilized bird something to do.
T a rsometata rsus: These fractures are easy to splint and heal very well in songbirds.
Compound fractures here, though, are more prone to vessel and nerve damage and may result
in the bird losing circulation to the foot. This is hard to predict, however, so it is usually
worth splinting it anyway and seeing how it heals. If the foot becomes dark and appears to be
drying out, euthanasia is recommended. In herons, egrets, and larger waterfowl these
fractures heal best with surgical pinning as it is difficult to get a splint snug enough to
stabilize the leg without having a tourniquet effect and causing the foot to swell. Mallards do
well with a waterproof walking splint.
Foot: See Joint Fractures section above. Feet with restricted flexibility are more functional in
ground birds than in birds that perch. If the fracture is not open, it often is worth splinting the
bird and waiting until it has healed to see what the bird can do with the foot in relation to
what it needs to do. Open fractures of the foot are often extremely contaminated or have
exposed necrotic bone and generally indicate euthanasia.
Toes: Toe fractures heal well, and if they do not, amputation is a viable possibility. It is
preferable to amputate a toe rather than to allow it to permanently fold under the rest of the
foot, as folded-under toes will result in long term pain for the bird. Songbirds need to be able
to perch with the foot. Removal of both halluxes typically results in a songbird that cannot
perch strongly enough to be released. Raptors are considered okay to lose the outer toe (#4)
but really need the other three, especially the hallux (#1). It is debatable whether or not a
raptor with only two toes (#1 plus #2 or #3) will be able to hunt well enough. If the other foot
is uninjured and the bird has no other disabilities, this may be adequate. Similar issues arise
with web-footed birds, as loss of a toe and its webbing can substantially affect swimming
ability.
Check USFWS guidelines for legality of any amputations to migratory birds.
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The Avian Skeleton
Skull
Wrist
Metacarpals
Ulna
Radius
Mandible
Humerus
Elbow
Pygostyle
Spine
Scapula
Shoulder
Clavicle
Synsacrum
Coracoid
Hip
Knee (stifle)
Femur
Tibiotarsus
Keel
Heel (hock, ankle or intertarsal joint)
Tarsometatarsus
Digit #2 (medial/inside)
Digit #3
Digit #1 (hallux)
Digit #4 (lateral/outside)
Foot
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Maxilla
E X A M I N I N G T H E W I N G F O R P OSSI B L E F R A C T U R ES
Each bone or section of wing should be examined
individually. The examination must be very
GENTLE, as rough handling can cause fractures, or
make existing ones worse. Do not examine for
fractures if the bird is stressed, or becomes stressed
during the examination. Allow the bird to become
warm and calm before handling.
Joyce Long
In FIG. 1 each end of the HUMERUS is held
firmly, the shoulder underneath the left thumb, and
the elbow between the right thumb and forefinger.
Then GENTLE tension is applied to the rest of the
bone. Any movement, where the bone should be
solid, indicates a fracture.
If the bird has a HUMERUS fracture, follow the
directions for radius/ulna figure 8 wrap but there is
no need for the splint. Steps 6-7 must be followed
to bind the wing to the body.
Beware lifting the wing of doves to examine the
under-wing area—their flight muscles are so strong
and adults can be so stressed that they snap their
humerus during handling.
Joyce Long
Joyce Long
In FIG. 2 the RADIUS & ULNA are examined
together. The elbow is held between the left thumb
and forefinger, and the wrist between the right
thumb and forefinger. In very small birds it is
difficult to tell if the fracture is in one bone only, or
in both the RADIUS & ULNA. But, in larger birds
it is possible to determine this with practice.
Attempt to identify which bone is broken and how
many pieces it is in.
In FIG. 3 the larger METACARPAL bone is the
only one that can be manipulated well in the wing
tip area. However, it may be fractured and can be
GENTLY held at both ends, and tension applied to
its middle to check for any movement (fracture).
Bear in mind that some movement at the various
small bone joints of the wingtip is normal.
Compare to the bird’s other wing if necessary. It is
normal for some species to have very floppyfeeling wrists, especially in young birds.
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SP L I N T I N G F R A C T U R ES O F T H E W I N G
F igure 8 w rap for humerus or radius/ulna fractures with support
FIG.1 The RADIUS & ULNA are examined
together. The elbow is held between the left thumb
and forefinger. In very small birds it is difficult to
tell if the fracture is in one bone only or in both the
RADIUS & ULNA.
Joyce Long
Joyce Long
Use M icropore paper tape for small bi rds (they
will slip out of Vetrap), Vetrap for la rger bi rds.
Width of tape or Vet rap should be about ½ as
wide as elbow-wrist distance. Tape can be applied
in several short sections that become attached end
to end.
FIG. 2 Using the unfractured RADIUS & ULNA in
the opposite wing as a model, draw and cut out a
cardboard splint that will reach & include both of
the joints at either end of the fractured bone. (if it is
too short, it will shift out of position & not provide
the support necessary. If too long or too wide it
may poke or cut into the bird.) Pad the cardboard
with a piece of TELFA PAD cut in the same shape
as the cardboard. Make the telfa pad a bit larger all
around than the support, especially to cushion the
armpit area. Use a small amount of gluestick to
attach the telfa pad to the cardboard. Apply a piece
of tape to the upper edge of the splint on the side
that will be closest to the bird’s body. (See the
diagram.) The finished splint is applied to the
underside of the wing, supporting the RADIUS &
ULNA.
FIG. 3 With the splint under the RADIUS &
ULNA, with the wing in a normal folded position,
bring tape over the top of the wrist joint and then
under the outer edge of the wing and toward the
body.
Joyce Long
12
SP L I N T I N G F R A C T U R ES O F T H E W I N G
C ON T INUE D
FIG. 4 Tape or Vet rap must come up behind &
around the elbow joint (A) or it will slip off!!!
FIG. 5 Wrap around outside of the wing (B) and back
around behind the wrist joint again (C). Repeat steps 3
& 4, (above) which will result in doubling the wrap
layer around the wing. L a rge muscula r bi rds such as
geese and gulls need very secu re wraps, more
rest rictive than those for songbi rds, and will need
ext ra layers of w rap to keep them from being able to
extend the elbow. T hey a re also more prone to joint
stiffness from restricted movement.
Joyce Long
N O T E : If the splint is well-secu red around the elbow,
there is no need to bind the wing to the body for
radius/ulna or metaca rpal fractu res. A dult birds may
become dep ressed and stop eating when body
wrapped. O nly wrap the wing to the body if
necessa ry to keep the bird from getting its elbow
loose or if it is a humerus fractu re. If necessa ry,
follow F I G . 6 and 7 instructions.
FIG. 6 After step 4, place the wing in a natural,
comfortable, folded position & wrap the tape across the
keel (not the crop) & under/behind the opposite wing,
leaving the healthy wing free. If the wing is droopy, run
the tape around the body the other way i.e. over the back
and under the other wing in order to lift the wing
dorsally a little.
Joyce Long
Joyce Long
FIG. 7 Stop after tape has gone around bird once &
before crossing wing with tape to make sure the wing is
in a natural position matching the healthy wing. Then
tape across wing & around bird again, applying tape on
top of the 1st layer. Bird will be encircled with tape
twice (except for healthy wing).
The wrap should be firm, but
not tight enough to interfere
with breathing. The tape is too
loose & will come off if you
can fit a finger underneath it.
Leave a tape tab of about 1/8
inch so the end of the tape
will be easily found when the
splint is to be removed.
13
Joyce Long
SP L I N T I N G F R A C T U R ES O F T H E W I N G
F igure 8 w rap for metacarpal fractures with support
FIG. 1 The larger METACARPAL bone is the only
one that can be manipulated well in the wing tip
area. However, it frequently is fractured and can be
GENTLY held at both ends, and tension applied to
its middle, to check for any movement (fracture).
Joyce Long
Joyce Long
FIG. 2 Using the unfractured METACARPAL in
the opposite wing as a model, draw and cut out a
cardboard splint that will reach & include both of
the joints at either end of the fractured bone. (if it is
too short, it will shift out of position & not provide
the support necessary. If too long or too wide it
may poke or cut into the bird.) Pad the cardboard
with a piece of TELFA PAD cut in the same shape
as the cardboard. Apply a piece of TAPE to the
upper edge of the splint on the side that will be
closest to the bird’s body (see the diagram.) The
finished splint is applied to the underside of the
wing, supporting the METACARPAL.
FIG. 3 With splint under the METACARPAL bring
tape over the top of the wrist joint and then under
the outer edge of the wing and toward the body.
Finish figure 8 wrap per instructions on page 12
FIGS. 4-5.
Joyce Long
14
M E T A C A RP A L W R A P
This wrap may be useful for droopy wings that do not have an obvious cause for drooping at
the wrist: for example, a bird that has no obvious fractures but has wing feathers touching the
ground. Also useful for clavicle and coracoid fractures to prevent flapping while allowing
enough movement to keep joints from becoming stiff. Use your best judgment to decide
whether to apply to one wing or to both in those cases. If the wing is drooping at the elbow or
shoulder, use a slit-wing wrap (next) to raise the joint into a normal position.
Some rehabbers use this wrap for radius fractures when the ulna is uninjured. It also may be
useful for birds that have had sutures to the shoulder or wing, where flapping may cause the
sutures to rip loose.
This wrap CANNOT work if the bird is missing its secondary feathers! Don’t forget to pay
attention to where feathers may be missing.
Fold the wing into a normal position
against the body. Apply Micropore
paper tape (or other non-sticky
residue generating tape) across the
primary and secondary feathers
NEATLY as shown. If you do a good
job, the wing tip of the wrapped wing
will closely match that of the
uninjured wing. Apply at least two
layers of tape and pinch it snug
against the feathers. If the bird
wiggles out of the wrap, apply it
again higher up the feather shafts and
use a wider piece of tape.
Secondaries
Primaries
SUPP L E M E N TAT I O N F O R F R A C T U R E D B I R DS
Birds on diets with calcium:phosphorus ratios of at least 2:1 should not need supplementation.
The author supplements adult birds or juveniles not on well-balanced diets (e.g. carnivores,
piscivores) as follows:
A dults: 150 mg/kg elemental calcium orally once daily x 7-14 days
G rowing chicks: 150 mg/kg elemental calcium orally twice daily x 7 days (songbirds), x 14
days (larger chicks), or until fracture is stable.
C alcium slurry recipe (100 mg/ml):
• 5 grams calcium carbonate powder (2000 mg elemental calcium) (available at www.lef.org)
• 10 ml Ora-Plus suspension vehicle (available at Amazon.com)
• 10 ml water
This is very easy to make, yields a higher concentration calcium supplement than calcium
glubionate (23 mg/ml) so less volume must be given, and does not contain sweetener.
15
SL I T-W I N G W R A P
Place folded
wrist through slit
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
This wrap is excellent for providing support to
an unfractured but droopy wing that is
drooping at the elbow, dragging on the
ground. It raises the wrist into a normal
position, and is especially effective for
shorebirds and other waterbirds. Songbirds
will often slip out of this one, but I have had
excellent results with avocets and pelicans.
Cut a piece of Vetrap that is long enough to go
around the bird twice. It should be cut to a
width half the bird’s elbow-wrist distance. Cut
a longitudinal slit in the Vetrap slightly larger
than half as wide as the birds wrist area. Place
the slit as far from one end of the Vetrap as the
wing is wide when folded.
Bring short end
up behind elbow
below humerus.
Stick short end to
underside of long
end, use to lift wing
into correct position.
Fold the wing into a normal position. With the short
end away from the bird and the long end over its
back, slip the birds wrist through the slit, snugging it
down as far as you can, as shown in FIG 1. Fold the
short end under the wing and bring it up behind the
elbow as shown in FIG 2. Stick the Vetrap short end
to the underside of the long end as shown in FIG 3.
Flatten the pieces together firmly.
Now use the “handle” you have just created on the
wrist to move the wing into as normal a position as
you can. Wrap the long end over the bird’s back,
behind the opposite wing under the elbow, across the
keel, and in front of the legs as shown in FIG 4. Do
any last position adjustments and pass the Vetrap
across the droopy wing again and you should finish
with the Vetrap end over the bird’s back. Tab the end
and apply a piece of tape to secure. Remove wrap
weekly to check progress. Be sure to not make the
wrap too tight.
16
Wrap long end
around bird
under opposite
elbow and in
front of legs.
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
Make last minute
adjustments to
position, secure
by sticking
Vetrap to itself
on bird’s back.
E X A M I N I N G T H E L E G F O R P OSSI B L E F R A C T U R ES
Each bone or section of leg should be examined
individually. The examination must be very
GENTLE, as rough handling can cause fractures,
or make existing ones worse. Do not examine for
fractures if the bird is stressed, or becomes
stressed during the examination. Allow the bird to
become warm and calm before handling.
Joyce Long
In FIG. 1 the left thumb is placed at the head of
the FEMUR at the hip joint. The knee is pulled
out slightly and held between the thumb and
forefinger of the right hand. Each end of the
FEMUR is thus held firmly and GENTLE tension
can be applied to the rest of the bone. Any
movement, where the bone should be solid,
indicates a fracture.
In FIG. 2 the knee is held between the left thumb
and forefinger and the ankle between the right
thumb and forefinger. GENTLE tension can then
be applied to the TIBIOTARSUS to determine if it
is fractured.
Joyce Long
In FIG. 3 the ankle is held between the left thumb
and forefinger and the foot between the right
thumb and forefinger. GENTLE tension can then
be applied to the TARSOMETATARSUS to
determine if it is fractured.
Examine the foot and each toe carefully to
determine if there are fractures or luxations. If the
bird can stand, make sure part of the exam
includes close observation of each toe for
abnormalities.
Joyce Long
17
SP L I N T I N G T H E F E M U R
To immobilize prior to surgery or as the only treatment
This wrap works well for songbirds, less well
for other groups of birds. In general it works
well for species where the length of the
tibiotarsus is similar to the femur—if the
tibiotarsus is a lot longer than the femur, the
wrap requires substantial modifications since
the bones do not ‘stack neatly’ when folded.
Joyce Long
FIG. 1 The left thumb is placed at the head of
the FEMUR. The knee is pulled out slightly and
held between the thumb and forefinger of the
right hand. Each end of the FEMUR is thus
held firmly and GENTLE tension can be
applied to the rest of the bone. Any movement,
where the bone should be solid, indicates a
fracture.
FIG. 2 In order to splint the FEMUR the
remainder of the leg must be immobilized first.
Use tape wrapped twice around the
TIBIOTARSUS and the TARSOMETATARSUS
as in the diagram.
Joyce Long
FIG. 3 A cotton ball (or part of one, or large
wad of them, depending on the size of the bird)
is taped on the inner side of the leg. Start by
bringing the tape between the knee & the foot
& then down over the cotton. Wrap the tape
around several times to secure the cotton well.
Be sure it does not block the vent or slip to
do so as time passes.
Joyce Long
18
SP L I N T I N G T H E F E M U R C O N T I N U E D
FIG. 4 Make a triangle shape as in the diagram,
padded on the abdomen side with cotton. The
purpose of this pad is to keep the leg in a normal
position parallel to the other leg, rather than
being folded inward against the abdomen. The
femur shape will be distorted when it heals if
this happens.
Joyce Long
FIG. 5 Place the triangle next to the body with
the FEMUR as straight as possible. Wrap tape
at least twice around the bird, securing the leg
in place. Again, make sure the vent is not
blocked. Leave a tape tab of about 1/8 inch so
the end of the tape will be easily found when
the splint is to be removed.
It is helpful to run the tape across the bottom
of the foot to hold digit #1 back and prevent it
folding forward with the other toes. This also
ensures the foot’s plantar surface is oriented in
the correct direction.
Joyce Long
19
T I B I O T A RSUS: M A K I N G T H E SP L I N T
Knee
FlG. 1 The knee is held between the left thumb and forefinger and the hock
between the right thumb and forefinger. GENTLE tension can then be
applied to the TIBIOTARSUS to determine if it is fractured. This is the
most common fracture in chicks.
FIG. 2 Using the unfractured TIBIOTARSUS in the opposite leg as a
model, measure the length from the top of the knee to the bottom of the
heel (see drawing below) with the leg folded into a ‘Z’ shape. The splint
must reach to & include the joints at either end of the fractured bone,
although it does not immobilize either. If it is too short it will shift out of
position & not provide the support necessary. If it is too long, it may poke
or cut into the bird. As in the diagram, cut away the parts marked in order
to make the splint conform to the shape of the leg. The final splint is a
tapered cone shape, reminiscent of a hockey shin guard.
FIG.1
Hock
Top of knee
Back of knee
FIG.2
Top of hock
Bottom of hock
A
FIG.3
Make the splint out of lightweight
bendable material. For songbirds,
Kleenex box works well. For larger
birds, this material will also work,
but you may wish to tape a piece of
wood (for example: coffee stir
stick) lengthwise on the outside of
the splint along the lateral edge to
provide
extra
strength.
Thermoplastic moldable splint or
Hexalite moldable plastic mesh or
even SamSplint are possible
materials for larger bird splints, but
any sharp or poking parts must be
well padded or it may cut the bird.
FIG. 3 Pad the splint with
TELFA cut into the same
shape but slightly larger
than the cardboard. This
will pad the skin from the
cardboard edges. To pad the
top of the tarsometatarsus,
cut strips into the telfa pad
at the semi-circular area.
Also add a rectangle of
telfa that wraps across the
top of the curve at the splint
bottom (A)
FIG.4
20
FIG.4 Carefully bend the
paperboard
around
a
tubular object that is close
to the size of the leg, such
as a pen or syringe. Do not
allow the cardboard to
crimp, rather bend it to
have a smooth curve. Make
sure the center of the top
and bottom curves are in
line with each other. Attach
the telfa pad with a small
amount of gluestick.
T I B I O T A RSUS: A PP L Y I N G T H E SP L I N T
Applying this splint can be quite challenging, even for the
experienced rehabber. Be sure to have many strips of tape ready and
waiting for when you put the splint on.
Restrain the bird so that you have access to the leg. If the bird is
small, hold it against your body and extend the leg by the knee,
supporting the broken segment as best you can. If feathers are in the
way, you can use an alcohol pad to wet them down, bear in mind
alcohol stings on open wounds. Slot the leg into the splint as shown
in FIG.6 and grip the leg firmly through the splint at the break. This
gives you a secure grip supporting the fracture while you apply the
first piece of tape.
F I G .5
Smooth curve
Once you have a piece of tape holding the splint on the leg, flex the
tarsometatarsus and seat it into the curve at the bottom of the splint,
making sure the strips of telfa pad are padding the curve of the
cardboard at A. Seating this segment of leg into the curve also serves
to reduce the fracture and pull the bone fragments into proper
alignment. Apply a “stirrup” (B in FIG.7) of tape from the splint
around the bottom of the heel to hold the leg in a semi-flexed
position. This keeps the splint from sliding down the leg.
Tape all areas of the splint snugly, paying especial attention to the
back of the knee. Failure to adequately tape here can allow the knee
to move closer to the hock.
A
Most birds will begin to use their splinted leg more or less
normally after a day or so. Be sure to monitor the foot for swelling
or other signs of problems. If the splinted leg is held sticking away
from the body it may be necessary to hobble the leg to restrict its
movement.
FIG.6
Monitor location A for abrasions. Tape very securely
behind the knee. This spot also needs to be monitored
for abrasions every 1-2 days.
If the bird is a nestling, tissues can be arranged to let the
splinted leg hang down into a depression in the nest. Adding
padding to the bottom of the basket and perches can make any
injured bird more comfortable. The goal should be to have the
leg splinted so well that the bird can’t tell it has a broken leg!
FIG.7
B
21
SP L I N T I N G T H E T A RSO M E T A T A RSUS
FIG.3
FIG.2 Wooden splint being
rolled up in tape for padding
FIG.1
Tongue depressor
Thin coffee stir sticks
are superior if available
As shown in FIG.1, cut a flat piece of
wood (such as from a coffee stir stick)
to the size of the flat area of the outside
of the tarsometatarsus. It must be
thinner than the leg itself or it will be
difficult to make the splint tight
enough. Round any sharp edges and
pad by rolling the wood up snugly in
Micropore paper tape, or by securely
taping a layer of telfa pad to cover all
edges of the wood (FIG.2). Cut 2 strips
of tape (FIG.3) in proportion to the
drawing in FIG.4. For most small birds,
tape should be around ¼ inch wide.
Apply tape to the padded splint as seen in FIG.4 Seat the splint along the flat
face on the outside (lateral) side of the tarsometatarsus, attaching the short end
of the tape directly to the leg. Wrap the long end of the tape very snugly
around the leg above and below the break, as shown in FIG.5. If bird is going
to be getting its legs wet while healing, use a more waterproof tape.
If the leg has an open fracture, wrapping the tape this way leaves the fracture
area open. This allows the application of a changeable dressing such as
Hydrogel or Tegaderm and permits a clear view of the fracture site to monitor
progress. You may desire to cover the area with a rectangle of telfa pad to keep
out contaminants. Heavier birds (such as pigeons) may require the application
of a redundant piece of splint placed at an angle to the original one, i.e. a
duplication of the first support applied adjacent to the first that corrects a
different angle of motion.
Tarsometatarsus fractures where the scales
over the injury are broken and bloody
sometimes result in a loss of blood supply to
the foot, due to damage to the blood vessels.
This will show as a gradual darkening of the
skin and a lack of use or sensation in the
foot, culminating in the foot drying out and
falling off. These birds are candidates for
euthanasia, as soon as it is apparent that the
foot is dead. it is difficult to predict which
bird will develop this problem, so the splint
is often worth a try.
FIG.4
22
FIG.5
SP L I N T I N G T H E F O O T—A PP L Y I N G A SH O E
Shoes are needed quite commonly in birds. They can be used to correct broken toes, toes
curled into odd positions, holding the foot in a fist, and many other toe maladies. They can be
quickly custom made for the individual bird, and like any splint on a small bird, need to stay
on for 1-2 weeks.
A few pointers on materials: Use styrofoam or plastic (yogurt or ice cream container lids
work well for tiny birds) as the foundation of the shoe. Cardboard gets soaked with water and
droppings within minutes of putting the shoe on. Thin styrofoam from cheese packaging is
thin enough for songbird shoes, but meat packaging styrofoam is too thick for most typical
small patients except pigeons. Choose the material by the size of the bird’s toenails (FIG.1).
Ideally, the nail should have enough clearance to drape over the edge of the shoe without
twisting the toe sideways from hitting the ground.
Toenail
FIG. 1
Conversely, if the shoe is too tall, the bird will tend to not put their whole weight on the foot
and will not gain as much benefit from the shoe as they would if they were able to use the
foot more normally. To secure the toes in position, use Micropore paper tape if possible.
Many other tapes leave sticky residues that are hard to remove from the toes, or stick so
securely that you risk breaking toes to get the tape off. A more waterproof tape can be helpful
if you are applying the shoe to a bird that is going to be soaking its feet in water, such as a
duck (see pgs 25-6). 3M Transpore tape works well for wet splints.
B ASI C SH O E D IR E C T I O NS F O R SO N G B I R DS
You will need a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Make the bird stand on the paper with its
good foot. Mark the points where its toenails hit the paper (FIG.2). If the bird has two odd
feet, use another animal matched for age and species to mark the paper. Transfer this
information to the shoe material and cut it out with scissors (FIGS. 3 and 4). Put the bird back
in its basket while you make the shoe. Post-its work well for the template since they will stick
onto the final material.
FIG. 2. Using the good foot and
a piece of paper, mark where the
toenails hit the ground
Fig. 3. Connect the dots
and cut out the shape in
the shoe material
23
FIG.4. Trim out notches
for the toenails to sit in
Next cut out a layer of telfa pad to cushion the styrofoam and
attach it lightly with a glue stick; no need to cut out notches.
You may need to use the flip side of your template if your
patient is a species with asymmetrical feet. Keep track of
which side of your shoe should be ‘up’. Now cut 6-10 thin
strips of Micropore paper tape about 2 inches long each (this
often means cutting the tape lengthwise). Have a restrainer
hold the bird with the leg extended away from the body. Tape
digit #1 in position first (A), with the ends of the tape folding
under the bottom of the shoe. Next, tape down the middle toe
and the rest of toes into their respective positions (B, C, D).
Add a few more strips of tape until you are confident the
shoe is securely attached to the foot. Allow the bird to stand
up and walk around its basket for a few minutes to see if it is
standing with its feet flat on the ground.
FIG. 5
Styrofoam with
layer of telfa pad
C
D
B
A
FIG. 6
T R O U B L ESH O O T I N G
Standing with shoe sideways: try adding a snugger piece of tape across the top of the foot
(D), flattening it towards the shoe surface.
Still standing with shoe sideways: add a tape connection between the tarsometatarsus and the
bottom of the shoe to correct the undesired motion.
ST I L L standing with shoe sideways: reapply shoe, with greater attention to applying even
tension to all toes.
Remove the shoe in 1 week. If the problem is still evident, reapply shoe for another week (just
clean off the Styrofoam and change the telfa pad—no need to make another shoe) Always
remember to monitor your patient for stress, and allow the bird to relax in its basket as
necessary during shoe application.
O D DS A N D E N DS
Long-legged wading birds: A partial shoe that just supports the foot joint extending part-way
out the base of each toe usually provides adequate support while still allowing the bird to perch
with the toes. Toes can be splinted individually if necessary.
Toe bent side to side more than taped shoe can straighten out: add a tape-wrapped tiny
piece of toothpick or similar item to the side of the toe and snug the toe up to it. Tape the
support in place alongside the toe.
Digit #1 tucked under the foot: this problem does not usually need a whole shoe to correct.
Using one or two thin strips of Micropore paper tape, tape the toe in the proper position (FIGS.
7 and 8). Leave tape on for a week. Adjust the angle to the proper angle for the species (look at
the good leg or another animal). Very few birds have a 90 degree angle between their
tarsometatarsus and the ground.
FIG. 7
24
FIG. 8
M allards: walking/swimming splint for T M T fractures
A combination of a shoe and a tarsometatarsus (TMT)
splint works well for ducks with closed TMT fractures.
The TMT in ducks hit by cars often breaks near the
base of digit #1, with some fractures occurring at the
base of the TMT at the partially fused metatarsal
bones. On x-ray, the foot end of the TMT sometimes
looks like a broken pile of shards if the metatarsals are
broken loose from each other, but may heal fine with
application of this splint.
Fracture
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
Roll splint in
Transpore tape to
pad
Position padded
splints on outside and
front of leg, avoid
inside of leg, tape
securely esp at (A)
FIG. 3
A
Begin the splint by stabilizing the fracture as described
previously for tarsometatarsal fractures, with two
pieces of thin wooden splints rolled in tape for
padding. In order to make this a waterproof splint use
3M Transpore tape, which holds up well in the water
but is permeable to oxygen. Paper tape will become
worthless quickly in the water. Apply the padded
wooden splints on the lateral to front sides of the leg,
adjacent to each other. Avoid the inside of the leg to
avoid compressing the medial metatarsal vein. Tape
securely along the length of the TMT, and be sure to
tape snugly below digit#1 with a thin strip of tape
between digit #1 and the bottom of the foot.
Next make a shoe by tracing the shape of the standing
webbed foot shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Meat or cheese
packaging foam is a good thickness for duck shoes,
thin take-out packaging from restaurants may need a
double layer. Apply the tape directly to dry skin and
tape the shoe on securely with the toes positioned for
standing as shown in FIG.7.
FIG. 4
Tape shoe
securely to foot
with toes
positioned for
standing
FIG. 5
Foam shoe in
shape of foot
FIG. 6
25
FIG. 7
M allards: walking/swimming splint for T M T fractures
continued
X2
FIG. 8. Paperclips trimmed and padded
by rolling in Transpore tape. Need two.
Padded
angle
paperclip
supports
FIG. 9
Create padded paperclip angle connectors by
trimming and shaping paperclips as shown in FIG.
8. Adjust the bend to whatever angle will fit
between the toes to attach to the front face of the
TMT as shown in FIG. 9, to allow for a normal
standing position. Use the good leg to choose this
angle. The angle varies somewhat between
birds—some birds have a near 90 degree angle,
some are less sharp than this. Position one angle
between digits #2 and #3 and one between #3 and
#4. Tape one end snugly to the front side of the
tarsometatarsus and tape the other end to sit
parallel to and between the toes.
Wrap the whole shebang securely with Transpore
tape as shown in FIG. 10, but leave the toenails
and toe tips exposed if possible so you can
monitor the foot for swelling. Transpore tape is
somewhat see-through so some monitoring is
possible through the tape. The duck may be up
and walking or swimming with the leg within a
day or so. If the bird’s waterproofing is adequate
for swimming, allow access to water, as floating
can make the bird much more comfortable and
allow for normal feeding.
Daily, re-examine the splint for tape loosening
and apply more tape as necessary. After one week,
remove the splint; if any movement is felt at the
fracture site, reapply for another week. You may
not need to reapply the shoe and angle.
FIG. 10
If the foot is very swollen and appears discolored,
the presence of a pain response to pinching the toe
tips is a good indicator that the bird still has a
good chance of recovery. Lack of response to
pinching is a bad sign as ducks usually are more
straightforward in their responses than other
species may be.
26